Marnie Midnight.
Marnie Midnight.Marnie Midnight the moth.
Marnie Midnight the moth who is obsessed with the moon and moon magic.
Oh, sorry. I had thought about writing this review in the form of a poem or a rap - there are oh so many words that rhyme with Midnight - but I'm not good at that sort of thing, so I'll spare you that slather of word dung and just be straightforward with my thoughts on 'Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery':
What a cute, funny, ludicrous, charming, and quick book for children that can be buzzed though in a day. Bugs, the crescent moon, and moon magic - yes, please!
It is rather like a bug-themed version of Laura Ellen Anderson's other book (and series), 'Rainbow Grey'. They both have wide-eyed, enthusiastic young female protagonists, who idolise a much older, female seasoned pioneering explorer and researcher (whom nobody else is a fan of), and who go to an esteemed academy based around their species (with all the creativity that goes with that specifically-themed premise), and have two best friends - an effeminate, fussy boy and a more aggressive, impulsive, go-getter girl - and together the child trio break school rules to go out into the wider world on their own to solve a big mystery that could potentially endanger their own world and people.
(Some of these tropes and templates are similar to 'Amelia Fang', too, come to think of it.)
While 'Marnie Midnight' isn't as exciting as 'Rainbow Grey', nor are the stakes as high, it still manages to be enjoyable on its own termite, turfy terms. There are plot holes, forgotten plot points, and loads of characters that are introduced and then completely dropped from the story just as quickly (they are sure to feature more prominently in the sequels), but it does have its fun and humorous elements and moments.
Spoiler-free examples include: Marnie the moth, with her love for the moon (same!) and her red jumper knitted for her by her dad; the fabulous (and nosy parker) Floyd Flombiddium the half-bee/half-ladybird (?) called an "A"; Star Vonstrosity the tiny ant, who is a war princess with the personality of Wednesday Addams; travels in/on snails and slugs... and mammals; a ladybird with square spots; a mean girl butterfly trio named Veronica, Thelma and Louise (... I really don't get why that reference is here... seriously, why? The film is one of my favourites, but still... someone help me! I'm losing my mind!); champion earthworm bodybuilders-er, burrowers; shifty flies from the "bad part" of a dustbin; a forbidden Moon Club at the very top of Minibeast Academy (the kids' boarding school); and of course, a bit of the mysterious and mythical moon magic, with its own Book of Spells, that's on the moon itself!
Charming, creative, funny and giggly - and thoughtful and loving - little things like these are what make 'Marnie Midnight' a special, somewhat guilty pleasure of mine. There's not a dull page in this addictive, zippeddy-zip book. It's utterly bonkers, and it embraces how bonkers it is. This line exists within it: "I'M TOO BURLY TO DIIIIIIIIE!" Plus there's a moment of self-awareness when Floyd flat-out points out that the very beginning of the school term is too early for any of them to already be solving a mystery and having an adventure. Indeed, it seems like the whole book takes place in the span of a few days!
One difference it has from 'Rainbow Grey' is that Marnie first meets Floyd and Star upon approaching and entering Minibeast Academy, instead of them already being friends from the start. Oh, and I'd thought that the little green caterpillar on the cover of 'Marnie Midnight' would be Marnie's cute and annoying pet and sidekick - it turns out he's her younger brother Milo, and after a cute, humorous goodbye as she leaves for the academy for the first time at the end of chapter three, he disappears from the rest of the book; he's one of many characters who get swatted away by the narrative. Why is he on the cover, then? For extra cuteness attraction? How misleading.
Additionally, there's an anti-racism, myth-busting, and tolerance message, which is very nice and appreciated.
('Rainbow Grey' and 'Amelia Fang' contain themes and lessons exactly like this as well...)
Finally, I like that Floyd is implied to be dyslexic, and have anxiety (and is autistic?).
Read 'Marnie Midnight and the Moon Mystery' for a fun time for an afternoon, and possibly night, when hopefully a crescent moon will be waxing (and polishing and shining brightly).
Now, I must flutter off tonight, when the moon magic will be good.
Final Score: 3.5/5
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